Basket-type floor merchandiser



June 21,, 2938. I N, J, LEIGH 2,121,155

BASKET TYPE FLOOR MERCHANDISER Filed Nov. 2, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR,

Wm Josgpkiayh EORNEY.

June 21, 1938. N. J. LEIGH BASKET TYPE FLOOR MERCHANDISER 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Fil ed NOV. 2, 1935 INVENTOR, Na fllwJqSqPll/Zez yk,

Patented June 21, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BASKET-TYPE FLOORMERCHANDISER Application November 2, 1935, Serial No. 47,967

4 Claims.

ceptacle within which articles of merchandise are adapted to beaccommodated. The device is designed primarily for use in a store at alocation easily accessible to prospective purchasers; and, preferably,though not necessarily, the articles of merchandise are disposed withinthe device in a jumbled haphazard relationship. Such an arrangement hasbeen found in practice to be conducive toward having the purchaser servehimself, thus efiecting more ready sales.

While the device is referred to herein as a floor merchandiser,nevertheless it will be understood that it is equally adapted for use ona counter, when made of somewhat smaller size.

The characterizing feature of the present invention lies in the factthat the device is in the form of a knock-down cardboard structure,composed entirely of simple elements of sheet material shaped andconstructed to permit the same to be set up with rapidity and facility,and adapted to be collapsed (when the device is disassembled) intosubstantially fiat condition. The term cardboard is used in a genericsense, and is intended to signify sheet material of the cardboardvariety, as distinguished from more pera manent and rigid material suchas metal or wood.

Cardboard or the like is admirably suited for the present purposebecause of the extremely small expense which is involved inmanufacturing the device; because of the ease with which it may beshaped, cut, and configured into collapsible elements; and because ofthe ability to print or O pedestal with its apex extending downwardsinto the pedestal. Each of these elements is formed of sheet stock andis suitably configured and constructed so that it may be readily set upor collapsed into a substantially flat condition.

In accordance with my present invention, the

conical element is constructed in a novel and unique manner, whereby itmaybe collapsed into fiat condition or opened up into operative positionwithout the necessity for eifecting any interengagement of tabs, slots,or other interlocking devices. The conical element, constructed inaccordance with the present invention, consists of hingedly connectedsectors which permit the element to be collapsed by folding along thehinge lines and thereby doubling the sectors into superposedrelationship. In a preferred embodiment, the sectors are six in number;two adjacent sec.- tors being substantially triangular; the opposite twosectors. being also triangular; and the remaining two sectors beingsubstantially trapezoidal.

Another feature of my invention lies in providing an integral extensionon the wall of the conical element, such extension being adapted toserve as a display panel, and having a substantially concave horizontalcross-section so as to maintain the panel in erect condition when thestructure is set up.

A still further feature of my invention lies in providing upstandingears on the cylindrical pedestal element, and in arranging cooperatingslots in the conical element to permit the ears to pass through theslots when the conical element is positioned on the pedestal. These earsserve to enhance the stability of the assembled device, and they arepurposely made of a sufiicient size to permit them to be grasped ashandles for the purpose of moving the assembly bodily from place toplace.

The present device is characterized by the extreme simplicity of itsstructure and component parts, and by a total absence of any supportingelements or material other than cardboard or the like. As a result, theelements can be picked up and shipped in a flat container; easily setupand assembled; and completely discarded after the device has served itspurposes.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustrativelyexemplified in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is aperspective View of a basket-type floor merchandiser of the presentcharacter, with illustrative articles of merchandise accommodatedtherein;

Figure 2 is a perspective view taken from a slightly higher point ofView, with the articles of merchandise omitted;

Figure 3 is -a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line33 of Figure 2;

Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line III-Ill of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the pedestal element inpartially collapsed condition;

Figure 12 is a view of the pedestal element in completely collapsedcondition; and

Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line I3I3 of Figure 12.

In Figure 1, the device is depicted as it appears to a prospectivepurchaser in a store. If used on the floor, the device is approximatelytwo or three feet high, so that the articles of merchandise are withineasy reach. If used on the counter, the device is of suitably reducedsize, but is structurally the same. The customer perceives a pedestalII] on the top of which a basket-type receptacle I I is arranged. Withinthe latter there may be a'jumble of merchandise such as that designatedby the reference numeral I2. Projecting upwardly from the periphery ofthe receptacle II is a display panel I3. On the panel, and also on thepedesal ID, if desired, suitable indicia, such as a trade mark or thelike, are printed or lithographed.

Reference will first be had to Figures 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13, in whichthe pedestal element has been shown as a cylindrical tube ofsubstantially uniform circular cross-section throughout. This tube ispreferably formed on a substantially rectangular blank I4 (Figure 5)adapted to be rolled upon itself with the edges I5 and I6 brought intooverlapped relationship and glued together or similarly fastened. Thistube is then preferably folded along diametrically opposed lines I1 andI8, so that the walls are brought into flat superposed relationship, asshown most clearly in Figures 12 and 13.

When the tube is to be set up in order to form the pedestal of thedevice, it is preferable to insert a bracing disc I9 into the bottomend. This disc is shown most clearly in Figure 6, and consistspreferably of relatively rigid material such as corrugated board or thelike. It conforms in contour to the internal cross-section or thepedestal and is provided with the marginal flaps 20 which help to holdit in position and which assume the upright positions shown in Figure 3when the disc I9 is inserted.

In accordance with the invention, the upper rim of the tube or pedestalis provided with the upstanding ears 2I, in diametrically opposedrelation. In the illustrated embodiment, it so happens that one of theseears is formed adjacent to the adhesively joined edges I5 and I6 of theblank, but this is not absolutely essential.

The structure is completed by applying to the top of the pedestal theconical element illustrated most clearly in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 7-10.It is formed of a blank of sheet stock shaped substantially in themanner shown in Figure 4. It will be observed that a substantiallycircular disc 22 is provided with a radial cut-out 23, so that when themarginal portions 24 on opposite sides of the cut-out are adhesivelysecured together, a substantially cone-shaped body results. Theresultant cone-shaped body is constituted of six integral sectorportions designated by the reference numerals 25-30 inclusive. Thesectors 25 and 26 are substantially triangular with the apexescoinciding at the point 3 I this point being spaced from the apex 32 ofthe cone. The opposite sectors 28 and 29 are symmetrically shaped andarranged, the apexes 33 coinciding at a point similarly spaced from theapex 32 of the cone. The remaining sectors 2'! and 30 are substantiallytrapezoidal. In Figure 4, the sector 21 is shown in two parts, but itwill be understood that when the margins 24 are secured together, aunitary sector, symmetrically similar to the opposed sector 30, results.

On the sector 30 I provide an extension 34 which is ultimately adaptedto serve as a display panel. Lateral flaps 35 are provided on thisextension, and these flaps are adhesively secured to the triangularsectors 25 and 29, respectively. The area of adhesion is designated byareas 31 in Figure 4, the triangular tips 36 of the flaps 35 therebyassuming positions overlying the triangular areas 31.

When the conical basket-like receptacle is set up, in assembly with thepedestal, it assumes the position shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. Slots 38are formed in the conical element to receive the upstanding ears 2Itherethrough. These ears are purposely made of a size and shape adequateto permit them to be grasped as handles so that the entire device can bemoved from place to place 1 by merely grasping hold of these ears. Thepanel 34, with its lateral flaps 35, has a substantially concavehorizontal cross-section, so that it remains in erect condition as shownin Figures 1 and 2. The panel 34 is admirably adapted to serve as adisplay panel upon which a trade mark or other advertising matter, orornamentation, may be printed or applied.

The apex of the cone is downwardly disposed Within the upper portion ofthe pedestal, and the result is that a very staunch device is produced,well adapted to receive large quantities of merchandise, as shown mostclearly in Figure 1. Regardless of the weight of the merchandise, thearticles gravitate toward the apex of the cone, and in this way thecenter of gravity of the device is well within the confines of thepedestal. In fact, the device is stauncher and more rugged when it is inuse, accommodating articles of merchandise, than when it is empty.

The manner in which the conical element may be collapsed intosubstantially fiat condition is shown most clearly in Figures 7-10. Thefirst step is to double the sector pair 25-26 inwardly along the commonhinge line 38. The same manipulation then takes place along the commonhinge line 40. The sectors 30 and 21 are then doubled upon themselvesalong the common hinge line 4|, and the result is that the severalsectors ultimately are disposed in superposed relationship. Figure 10 issomewhat exaggerated in so far as the thickness of the material isconcerned, but it shows the manner in which the conical element may becollapsed into substantially flat condition. To open the element up isequally as simple.

It will thus be observed that the complete de vice is characterized byits utter simplicity 01' structure and mode of use. The two elementscomprising the pedestal and the basket are each composed of ordinaryflat sheet stock of cardboard or its equivalent, and in collapsedcondition these elements may be stored or shipped in a flat container.The third element I9, when used, does not contribute any bulkiness,being itself flat. In setting up the device, no complicatedinterengagement of flaps or other similar manipulations are required.The conical element is merely opened up and applied to the top of thepedestal, with the ears 2| projecting through the slots 38. The deviceis then ready for use.

It will be understood that the elements herein illustrated by way ofexample are not the only shapes which may be employed. The pedestalelement need not, for example, be of strictly cylindrical cross-sectionnor of uniform crosssection throughout; the conical element need nothave a periphery which is strictly circular; and the panel element neednot necessarily have the shape illustrated.

After the device has served its function, it may be discarded in itsentirety, since it is sufiiciently inexpensive; or, if preferred, theelements may be disassembled and collapsed into substantially flatcondition, whereby they are again ready for compact shipping andstoring.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of myinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope: of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted asillustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A basket-typefloor merchandiser comprising a knock-down cardboard structure composedof a cylindrical pedestal element having an open upper end, and asubstantially conical element adapted to accommodate a jumble ofmerchandise and concentrically supported on the rim of said pedestalwith its apex extending downwards into the pedestal, said pedestalhaving upstanding ears on its upper rim, and said conical element havingslots to receive said ears therethrough, said conical element beingformed of sheet stock and comprising six hingedly connected sectors,each of two adjacent sectors being substantially triangular with theirapexes coinciding at a point spaced from the cone apex, the two oppositesectors being symmetrically shaped and arranged, and each of theremaining two sectors being trapezoidal, whereby the element may becollapsed into substantially flat condition by doubling each triangularpair inwardly along the common hinge axis, and thereupon doubling thetrapezoidal sectors along the common hinge line.

2. A basket-type floor merchandiser comprising a knock-down cardboardstructure composed of a cylindrical pedestal element having an openupper end, and a substantially conical element adapted to accommodate ajumble of merchandisc and concentrically supported on the rim of saidpedestal with its apex extending downwards into the pedestal, saidpedestal having upstanding ears on its upper rim, and said conicalelement having slots to receive said ears therethrough, said conicalelement being formed of sheet stock and comprising six hingedlyconnected sectors, each of two adjacent sectors being substantiallytriangular with their apexes coinciding at a point spaced from the coneapex, the two opposite sectors being symmetrically shaped and arranged,and each of the remaining two sectors being trapezoidal, whereby theelement may be collapsed into substantially fiat condition by doublingeach triangular pair inwardly along the common hinge axis, and thereupondoubling the trapezoidal sectors along the common hinge line, one of thetrapezoidal sectors having an extension adapted to serve as a displaypanel, and lateral flaps hinged to said extension and secured to theadjacent triangular sectors, respectively.

3. A collapsible substantially conical element of sheet material,adapted to serve as a basket-like receptacle for merchandise, comprisingsix hingedly connected sectors, each of two adjacent sectors beingsubstantially triangular with their apexes coinciding at a point spacedfrom the cone apex, the two opposite sectors being symmetrically shapedand arranged, and each of the remaining two sectors being trapezoidal,whereby the element may be collapsed into substantially flat conditionby doubling each triangular pair inwardly along the common hinge axis,and thereupon doubling the trapezoidal sectors along the common hingeline.

4. A collapsible substantially conical element of sheet material,adapted to serve as a basketlike receptacle for merchandise, comprisingsix hingedly connected sectors, each of two adjacent sectors beingsubstantially triangular with their apexes coinciding at a point spacedfrom the cone apex, the two opposite sectors being symmetrically shapedand arranged, and each of the remaining two sectors being trapezoidal,whereby the element may be collapsed into substantially flat conditionby doubling each triangular pair inwardly along the common hinge axis,and thereupon doubling the trapezoidal sectors along the common hingeline one of the trapezoidal sectors having an extension adapted to serveas a display panel, and lateral flaps hinged to said extension andsecured to the adjacent triangular sectors, respectively.

NATHAN JOSEPH LEIGH.

